New balls, please, as England seek bowling help

England have paved the way for a bowler-friendly Ashes series by requesting prominent seams on their next batch of Test balls, but Ashley Giles insists there is no stitch up in the new stitching.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has instructed manufacturer Dukes to produce 500 -600 balls to the same specification used in the past two summers after deciding the 2019 design did not offer enough to pacemen.

The governing body had requested tighter wound sea ms for this year’ sSpe csavers County C ham pion ship after bats men endured a torrid time last season. But, after assessing the opening rounds, Giles, the managing director of men’s cricket, is concerned the balance has shifted too far the other way.

Giles said: “I’ve spoken to Cricket Australia, they were fine, and I’ve spoken to Cricket Ireland( who play at Lord’ s in July ). It’ s our decision but it’ s important we made contact with them .”